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UAE Introduces Consular Services for Golden Visa Holders

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends citizen-level consular services to Golden Visa holders in what officials describe as a globally unprecedented move.

Ahmad Abbas

IMI
• Amman

The United Arab Emirates has launched consular services for Golden Visa holders that were previously exclusive to Emirati citizens, marking what officials describe as a global first in resident support.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) unveiled the initiative at GITEX Global 2025 on October 14.

The services include emergency assistance abroad, electronic passport replacement, 24-hour crisis response, and coordination of mortal remains repatriation. Golden Visa holders and their dependents with valid residence permits can access support through a dedicated hotline and digital platforms.

Lost passports and crisis hotlines

Golden Visa holders who lose their passport while traveling can request an Electronic Return Document through the MoFA website or app using UAE Pass. Applicants must submit a copy of the lost passport report, Golden Visa details, and a recent passport photo with a white background.

MoFA issues the document within 30 minutes in most cases, valid for one entry into the UAE within seven days of issuance. The Ministry has established a 24-hour hotline at (+971) 2 493 1133 that provides immediate assistance with emergencies, embassy contact, and consular guidance.

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Undersecretary at MoFA Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi

When a Golden Visa holder passes away abroad, the UAE coordinates the repatriation of mortal remains through the relevant country’s UAE Mission or the hotline. Families must provide the deceased’s passport, death certificate, and necessary local documents.

“A forward-thinking country”

Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary at MoFA, framed the services as part of the UAE’s strategy to attract skilled professionals, investors, and innovators.

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, characterized the initiative as “a qualitative leap” in cross-agency integration that delivers human-centered solutions for distinguished residents.

Jeremy Savory, CEO of Savory & Partners, considers the announcement “excellent news” and believes “the UAE is setting a new standard here.” He characterizes the UAE as “such a forward-thinking country” and feels “very fortunate to have relocated when I did.”

Jeremy Savory, CEO of Savory & Partners

He acknowledges that while the country’s lifestyle is not for everyone he finds the value proposition compelling.

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When examining global conditions, particularly “the instability affecting even the UK and US, the contrast is clear,” according to Savory. What impresses him most is “how they keep adding tangible value for residents.”

He notes that “the value-add just keeps on going, and normally you would see a price change if you create more value like this.”

Savory notes that “the program has evolved considerably” and explains there are now “seven distinct pathways to qualification, including a category for individuals of strategic importance to the country.”

The Golden Visa program offers multiple pathways to qualification beyond real estate investment, including employment-based applications, financial investment in companies, and equity stakes. Savory says “the Golden Visa is still extremely popular” among applicants seeking long-term residency options.

He says that “the UAE has done an impressive job aligning the Golden Visa with its national priorities while expanding access across different sectors.” He observes that his firm is now “seeing a much broader applicant profile than when the program launched.”

Savory argues that “the UAE isn’t simply competing with traditional European residence programs” but rather “operating in a different space entirely, attracting talent and capital that might not have considered the Middle East before.”

He notes that “the value proposition keeps improving, and typically you’d expect costs to rise when benefits expand like this,” revealing that “the Golden Visa remains highly sought after.”

Beyond minimal stay requirements, Savory emphasizes that the Golden Visa offers practical financial advantages. For banking purposes, he explains, “it helps international investors from more challenged nationalities position themselves differently from a financial perspective as much as geographic.”

Since the UAE joined the OECD white list, according to Savory, “clients have benefited from smoother transactions all the way to preferential mortgage rates.”

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili

Not “just about staying in the country but more about being part of it“

Jeffrey Henseler, Chairman of Passport Legacy and IMI Person of the Year, views the move as more than procedural. According to Henseler, the initiative demonstrates that “the Golden Visa isn’t just about staying in the country but more about being part of it.”

He interprets the consular expansion as a response to longstanding perceptions about residency in the UAE. Critics have maintained accusations that “you will never get the passport” or that “the country only cares about what you bring to the country and not about you as a person.”

He argues that the ten-year Golden Visa addressed earlier reputation issues around the requirement that residents without employment leave within 30 days or three months, depending on passport type. The new consular services tackle remaining concerns that “you’re never really home, it’s never really your home.”

He contrasts this with European Union countries such as Cyprus and Greece, which he suggests do not need to defend similar reputations. The initiative may function partly as what Henseler describes as “maybe a PR initiative” to address perceptions, particularly strong in Middle Eastern contexts.

Henseler expects most cases will route through the UAE Pass app or hotline rather than requiring extensive consular intervention, given the existing digital infrastructure. But the symbolic value matters to his clients.

Jeffrey Henseler with the IMI Person of the Year Trophy at IMI Connect Rome

Henseler frames the development in practical terms. He notes that “Dubai has become home” for many investors, and knowing “that the government supports you even when you’re abroad gives a real sense of belonging.”

People invest in Dubai “not only because of the returns, but because of the lifestyle and safety,” according to Henseler.

He argues that “these new measures add another layer of trust” by demonstrating that “when you build your life here, the country stands behind you, and that’s a big deal.”

“Year of Community”

The Golden Visa program launched in 2019 as a long-term residency option that allows foreign residents to live, work, and study without a local sponsor. Initial categories targeted investors, entrepreneurs, top students, scientists, frontline heroes, and specialists across various fields.

Recent expansions have broadened eligibility to include content creators and teachers. The consular services launch aligns with the 2025 national theme “Year of Community” that President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared.

The initiative extends emergency and evacuation planning previously limited to Emirati citizens to include long-term residents during global crises and natural disasters. The UAE Pass app, which all residents can access, centralizes services ranging from health documents to court cases and vehicle impoundment records.

This existing digital infrastructure provides a foundation for the new consular support system. The physical presence of dedicated services represents a departure from purely app-based assistance.

IMI Pros who can help with UAE golden visas


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